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LET’S DO BRUNCH
Where to Eat Brunch in NYC
New York City is a great place to do brunch. Since this
leisurely meal is a sacred ritual for busy New Yorkers, visitors can take
advantage of a vast variety of brunch options, from dim sum to croque monsieur
to bagels and lox. Too bad there are only two days per weekend! Delectable Hotel Dining
Catering to guests 24/7 is a fine art perfected at New
York’s best hotels and brunch is no exception.. The Zagat Guide voted
Halcyon’s Penthouse Sunday Brunch the “Best in New York City,” thanks to a
buffet laden with classics like Eggs Benedict and scores of international
delicacies (RIGHA Royal Hotel, 151 W. 54th St. at Seventh Ave., 212/468-8888).
At the hip new Heartbeat (W Hotel, 149 E. 49th St. bet. Lexington & Third
Aves., 212/407-2900), the food is as stylish as it is healthful. Delicious
brunch items include Apple and Ricotta Pancakes with Sun-Dried Cherries and
Coriander Seared Duck Breast. The Sunday Champagne and Lobster Brunch at the Ambassador
Grill (Regal U.N. Plaza Hotel, 44th St. bet. First & Second Aves.,
212/702-5014) features unlimited bubbly and a huge buffet filled with salads,
roast meats, omelets and desserts. The term “Power Breakfast” may have
originated at the Regency Hotel’s 540 Park Avenue Restaurant, (540 Park Ave.
at 61st St., 212/759-4100) but the landmark restaurant also serves up a
delightful weekend brunch with mouth-watering specialties like Blueberry and
Lemon Pancakes and Pecan Crusted French Toast with Caramelized Bananas. The
Bravo! Brunch Buffet at Restaurant Charlotte (Millennium Broadway, 145 W. 44th
St. bet. Sixth & Seventh Aves., 212/789-7508) is a favorite with Times
Square visitors, who feast on Bourbon Soaked Ham and Smoked Salmon with
Scallions and Capers before heading out to see the sights. Downtown Hideaways
Craving a hearty serving of atmosphere spiced with a pinch
of romance? Set in a historic townhouse, Verbena (54 Irving Pl., 212/260-5454)
features a courtyard garden that’s a soothing respite from city action.
Chef/owner Diane Forley’s prix-fixe Sunday brunch menu features House-Baked
Scones, Salmon Gravlax and Forley’s unique take on Croque Monsieur. Time Out
New York magazine awarded “Best Brunch” honors to Grange Hall (50 Commerce
St. bet. Hudson & Seventh Ave. South, 212/924-5246), a ‘40s-style hideaway
with “nouveau heartland” items like moist pear-walnut bread and hearty
soups. A timeless SoHo destination, Zoë (90 Prince St. at Mercer St.,
212/966-6722) features an extensive, all-American wine list and superb brunch
offerings like Tempura Goat Cheese Salad and Banana Stuffed Brioche French
Toast. Global Flavors
The atmosphere is terrific at Mesa Grill (102 Fifth Ave.
bet. 15th & 16th Sts., 212/807-7400), where celebrity chef Bobby Flay serves
up lively Southwestern brunch entrees like Tequila Smoked Salmon Quesadillas and
Spicy Chicken and Sweet Potato Hash. Don’t forget the margaritas. A
quintessential Chinatown dim sum brunch is available seven days a week from 11am
to 4pm at Pacifica (Holiday Inn Downtown, 138 Lafayette St. bet. Howard &
Canal, 212/966-8898), where delights like Shrimp Dumplings and Steamed Sticky
Rice in Lotus Leaf are freshly made to order. Italian brunch specialties include
an excellent antipasto bar and Panettone French Toast at the gloriously
eccentric Trattoria Dell’Arte (900 Seventh Ave. bet. 56 & 57th Sts.,
212/245-9800). There’s often a line for the Sunday Gospel Brunch at
Sylvia’s Restaurant (328 Lenox Ave. at 127th St., 212/996-0660), but the
Southern Fried Chicken with Hot Cakes is worth the wait. For a dose of Jewish
soul food, try a platter of Salami and Eggs and a Chocolate Egg Cream at
Katz’s Deli (205 E. Houston St. at Ludlow St., 212/254-2246). If you fancy a
heaping pastrami sandwich, try the Second Avenue Deli (156 Second Ave. at 10th
St., 212/677-0606). A meal at Bloomingdale’s sixth-floor Le Train Bleu (1000
Third Ave. bet. 59th & 60th Sts., 212/705-2100) is like a nostalgic journey
in an elegant French dining car. Brunch is served Mondays through Saturdays from
May through October. Great ViewsTucked under the Queensboro Bridge, Sir Terence Conran’s
long-awaited Guastavino (409 E. 59th St. bet. First & York Aves.,
212/980-2455) is a can’t-miss destination. Brunch under the soaring vaulted
ceilings features Red Flannel Hash and Brick-Oven Eggs with Italian Sausage. The
exclusive upstairs Club Guastavino serves an elegant prix-fixe menu. World Yacht
(Pier 81, W. 41st & Hudson River, 212/630-8100) sets sail on Sunday
afternoons for a delightful brunch cruise accompanied by live music. Edited by Kerry Cohen -Updated 12-1-00- |
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TM